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Just thinking through some under the radar players that we really need to emerge next year. Here are a few that come to mind:

1. Shamier Jeffrey-Has some size and is fluid like his brother. With Ellington leaving, it would be great to add a big body to Roland, Byrd and Jones. We need him to emerge.

2. Kelsey Griffin-I think we need someone to push Surratt and Dixon Jr. Sure we have Dukes but an improved Griffin would be great. Also would like to see our DTs in better shape. I know defensive tackles are fat but our guys seemed winded much of the season. Surratt and Dixon Jr could drop a couple of lbs and still have good size.

3. Brison Williams-I think we might have to convert him to full time corner. (or another safety?) He would need to lose some weight to do it and play well opposite McWilliams.

The key players for me next season are all of the offensive linemen. All of them. Starters and backups. If the O line isn't dominate next season, then I guess we're never going to have one, at least under SOS.

The Buckeyes were dreadful last night. But the one thing they did better than us against Clemson was run the ball. Hyde had a 113 yards rushing. Davis had no where to go against the Tigers.

Not much of an argument I can make for Jeffrey except that he got himself into much better shape this season and seems more mature. I didn't throw Pharoh Cooper in there and I should have. His development at WR is critical.

I agree on the oline. Seemed like we were having to use a lot of smoke and mirrors to get a yard or two by the end of the season. Davis injury did not help but I think he had to work way to hard to get a lot of yards this season and that wore him down. He had some great two yard runs and our oline needs to take some of that pressure off of him. No reason he should frequently have to make a guy miss and run over another one to get two yars.

Either tight end. We should use their abilities. Kwinton Smith needs a good off-season . Hopefully both Jhaustin Thomas and Abu Lamin. Lamin did the work to get here for the spring. David Williams - he has really good vision and speed. Larenz Bryant. Nosovitch.

Just thinking through some under the radar players that we really need to emerge next year. Here are a few that come to mind:

1. Shamier Jeffrey-Has some size and is fluid like his brother. With Ellington leaving, it would be great to add a big body to Roland, Byrd and Jones. We need him to emerge.

2. Kelsey Griffin-I think we need someone to push Surratt and Dixon Jr. Sure we have Dukes but an improved Griffin would be great. Also would like to see our DTs in better shape. I know defensive tackles are fat but our guys seemed winded much of the season. Surratt and Dixon Jr could drop a couple of lbs and still have good size.

3. Brison Williams-I think we might have to convert him to full time corner. (or another safety?) He would need to lose some weight to do it and play well opposite McWilliams.

4. Darius English-No brainer here.

Our season will come down to a couple of guys like these emerging.

Need to add Jonathan Walton to your list. He has a real chance to see significant pt at MLB.

I would agree with Shamier Jeffery. Right now, Jones, Byrd, and Roland will probably be the starters, but that fourth receiver will be important. Bubba has liked what he's seen from Shamier this year, so hopefully that carries over into the spring and summer.

Obviously, the OL is always key. They need to find a way to open up run lanes like the were the first half of the season.

English is way too light. Gets pushed wide way too easy. Devin Washington or the Juco guy may be the answer here.

My patience is thin on the following wr. Brent, Fuller, Jeffrey, Smith. Time to step up or Cooper, Davidson, Googer, and Samuel will be getting all of the practice time. (I am not very worried about this position though even losing Bruce. Jones, Byrd, Cooper, and Roland can do plenty of damage).

Not worried about DT

I am worried about cornerback. Guess we will see. I was surprised that Brison Williams was our second option at nickel back behind Rico for the bowl game. We are thin. Recruiting may be the only prescription here.

The key player next year is Dylan Thompson. If he plays to an all SEC team caliber like we know he can we'll be fine. If we're talking about playing Noso or Mitch because we need to then we' ll have our hands full next year.

The key player next year is Dylan Thompson. If he plays to an all SEC team caliber like we know he can we'll be fine. If we're talking about playing Noso or Mitch because we need to then we' ll have our hands full next year.

My sources tell me that Na'Ty Rodgers is all but guaranteed to be a starter next season. Elliott loves the physicallity and toughness he has seen out of Na'Ty. He's not afraid to get dirty and he plays with a lot of emotion. Even though he's one of the youngest possible starters on the line next year, you can see the leadership in him.

Pharoh Cooper

Pharoh is going to be relied on many different ways next season. You'll see him used a lot like Randall Cobb was at Kentucky in my opinion. He'll play a little of wide receiver and running back, and he might even through a couple passes. Not to mention the fact that he'll be looked on to get a few yards on kick returns too (and possibly punt returns).

David Williams

The past 3 seasons we've had 2 great feature backs. Marcus Lattimore and Mike Davis. The one thing they both missed was a compliment back, or simply a back that Spurrier trusted to throw in simply to rest his feature back. In the past, the back up RB's have only seen time when Lattimore/Davis were injured for a few plays or needed an ankle taped/retaped. Injuries have also attacked our back up running backs in years past (Carson, Wilds, Miles). Hopefully David Williams proves he is tough and durable. He and Davis could be one hell of a combo to wear down opposing defense and give his new QB a little help to open up the defense.

Defense:

Gerald Dixon (44)

I never thought that he would amount to anything here. For a while, it seemed as if I was right. I thought he wasn't here for the right reasons. I felt like he was only here because he was pressured to come here, and I felt like he didn't really even want to play football. The injuries he had in high school, and the injuries he has received since he's been here did not help improve that thought of mine. But we finally saw the real "Little G" come out to play this past season. Looking forward to see him produce some more on the field. We're going to need him to step up. The loss of Clowney and Sutton will not be easy to replace.

Darius English

Darius English knows he needs to add to his frame. He's been unsuccessful in doing so this past season in the long scheme of things. Not to say he hasn't added anything but it's not enough. We really need Darius to be a key player on the defensive line. As mentioned about, the loss of both starting defensive ends is a handful to replace.

Rico McWilliams/Ronnie Martin/Ali Groves

With the departures of Victor Hampton and Jimmy Legree we need to have the CB's we have remaining step up. One, or two of these three will definitely be called on a lot during the season. Possibly all three. It's time to step up.

My sources tell me that Na'Ty Rodgers is all but guaranteed to be a starter next season. Elliott loves the physicallity and toughness he has seen out of Na'Ty. He's not afraid to get dirty and he plays with a lot of emotion. Even though he's one of the youngest possible starters on the line next year, you can see the leadership in him.

Pharoh Cooper

Pharoh is going to be relied on many different ways next season. You'll see him used a lot like Randall Cobb was at Kentucky in my opinion. He'll play a little of wide receiver and running back, and he might even through a couple passes. Not to mention the fact that he'll be looked on to get a few yards on kick returns too (and possibly punt returns).

David Williams

The past 3 seasons we've had 2 great feature backs. Marcus Lattimore and Mike Davis. The one thing they both missed was a compliment back, or simply a back that Spurrier trusted to throw in simply to rest his feature back. In the past, the back up RB's have only seen time when Lattimore/Davis were injured for a few plays or needed an ankle taped/retaped. Injuries have also attacked our back up running backs in years past (Carson, Wilds, Miles). Hopefully David Williams proves he is tough and durable. He and Davis could be one hell of a combo to wear down opposing defense and give his new QB a little help to open up the defense.

Defense:

Gerald Dixon (44)

I never thought that he would amount to anything here. For a while, it seemed as if I was right. I thought he wasn't here for the right reasons. I felt like he was only here because he was pressured to come here, and I felt like he didn't really even want to play football. The injuries he had in high school, and the injuries he has received since he's been here did not help improve that thought of mine. But we finally saw the real "Little G" come out to play this past season. Looking forward to see him produce some more on the field. We're going to need him to step up. The loss of Clowney and Sutton will not be easy to replace.

Darius English

Darius English knows he needs to add to his frame. He's been unsuccessful in doing so this past season in the long scheme of things. Not to say he hasn't added anything but it's not enough. We really need Darius to be a key player on the defensive line. As mentioned about, the loss of both starting defensive ends is a handful to replace.

Rico McWilliams/Ronnie Martin/Ali Groves

With the departures of Victor Hampton and Jimmy Legree we need to have the CB's we have remaining step up. One, or two of these three will definitely be called on a lot during the season. Possibly all three. It's time to step up.

I agree with all of the above except Little G. He is too slow to be A real factor at DE. Thomas or English or Mason need to step up and provide a real pass rushing threat or we are in trouble. I agree that Pharoh is going to be a big factor like Syvelle Newton which will take pressure off the QB. The OL must perform. We suck at run blocking. Absolutely suck. MD got killed making his yards. Rodgers will be a stud and help. David Williams will surprise. So will Connor Mitch.

I agree with all of the above except Little G. He is too slow to be A real factor at DE. Thomas or English or Mason need to step up and provide a real pass rushing threat or we are in trouble.

He has already been a factor. He has made plays, made tackles, pressured the QB, and can seal the edge. Often I felt better with him in the game than Sutton. He will not likely be a rush end in second or third and long, but he will likely be in the mix and contribute well. I think we will have rush ends and power ends and hopefully will see a good complete season from our linebackers to help fill the void left by Clowney and Quarles leaving. Our D takes a big hit at DL and CB. The whole unit will have to elevate their game to make up for it.

Ard was kicking off to the 20 yard line in the bowl game. Completely unacceptable. Get a new punter too. 35 yard punt average is getting old.

Lets not judge Ard on one bad game. That was by far his worst kick-off performance of the season. He was good during the year 90% of the time (I felt like he'd kick 5 in the endzone, and 1 outta bounds every game).

Sometimes fans act like finding a kicker who can boot 50 yarders, and have their kick-offs go thru the uprights is easy.

Remember when we offered Fish a scholarship? "Yay we got a punter". Remember how that worked out? Remember when we recruited Tyler Hull? "Yay he can kick 88t8t73489572894 yards". Remember how that worked out? Now we're recruiting another kicker...I wonder how that will work out.......

I have a funny feeling that USC could shock the world next year. I know they lose a lot of big name guys this year. But, remember 1997 Tennessee? Lost Peyton Manning and a lot of other guys. The next year, Tee Martin takes them to the NC game and wins it.

We have a lot of talent on this team that people just don't know about yet because they've been waiting their turn.

The leadership and example guys like Shaw, Lattimore, Clowney, Ingram, Ellington have put in place is a model for these new guys, and man, I like USC's future.

South Carolina is a growing state, too. Population is booming. High school coaching is getting better and better. Our state is producing more and more top level HS players, and of course, USC and Clemson will get many of them.

Just thinking through some under the radar players that we really need to emerge next year. Here are a few that come to mind:

1. Shamier Jeffrey-Has some size and is fluid like his brother. With Ellington leaving, it would be great to add a big body to Roland, Byrd and Jones. We need him to emerge.

2. Kelsey Griffin-I think we need someone to push Surratt and Dixon Jr. Sure we have Dukes but an improved Griffin would be great. Also would like to see our DTs in better shape. I know defensive tackles are fat but our guys seemed winded much of the season. Surratt and Dixon Jr could drop a couple of lbs and still have good size.

3. Brison Williams-I think we might have to convert him to full time corner. (or another safety?) He would need to lose some weight to do it and play well opposite McWilliams.

4. Darius English-No brainer here.

Our season will come down to a couple of guys like these emerging.

sorry to be negative, and i know i will probably get flamed for this, but i think you can put a fork in jeffery. he has had all the chances in the world, and produced nothing. he supposedly had the turn around in work ethic and attitude this last off-season, and did what this season? i think there are others with a much better chance than him, and i don't expect anything to ever happen with him in this program. jmo.

__________________Tact is for those who are not witty enough for Sarcasm...